2019 Volkswagen e-Golf Review

Name: 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf
Brand: Volkswagen
Price: 19998 USD

(45)

Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

7.9/10 Expert Rating

Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback Exterior

+65

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$19,998 - $25,998

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Volkswagen e-Golf model years

Volkswagen e-Golf for Sale

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byKurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

Pros

Looks and drives more like a typical car than other EVs
Premium interior materials
Plenty of trunk space
Comfortable and quiet ride

Cons

Shorter electric range than other EVs
Limited availability

What's new

DC fast charger now comes standard on base SE trim
Advanced driver aids now available for base SE trim
Part of the first e-Golf generation introduced for 2015

If you'd prefer your electric car to be different and make a statement to other motorists about your eco-savvy attitude, the 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf is most definitely not for you. In the process of electrifying its popular and long-running hatchback, VW kept the Golf's styling and interior pretty much the same. But the normality of the e-Golf is one of its greatest strengths: It combines all the practicality, personality and familiarity of a regular Golf and subtracts the tailpipe and all of its emissions.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $0.14 per kWh for electricity and $3.85 per gallon average in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$49/mo

e-Golf SE

$172/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

There are some subtle differences to the exterior styling (the e-Golf-specific wheels are the easiest way to tell), and the interior gets a few subtle tweaks as well to better inform the driver about the state of the battery charge. But most of the standard Golf carries over, which means you get a smooth ride quality and a premium and versatile interior. This electric car is remarkably free of compromise.

Compared to other rival electric vehicles, however, the e-Golf has one significant drawback: range. Its EPA-estimated range of 125 miles will be sufficient for a lot of people, but a few top rivals — namely, the Chevrolet Bolt, Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV — can go about twice as far. Acceleration isn't particularly quick with the e-Golf either. But overall we like the Volkswagen e-Golf and recommend it if you're shopping for a natural stepping stone into the electrified world.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf as one of Edmunds' Cheapest Electric Cars for 2020.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.9 / 10

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium (battery electric | 1-speed direct drive | FWD).

Scorecard

Overall	7.9 / 10
Driving	8.0
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.5
Utility	8.0
Technology	7.5

Driving

8.0

Handling, steering and braking are solid compared to others in the EV segment. But we wish the steering wasn't so light and that the regenerative braking power was stronger when you fully lift off the accelerator pedal.

Acceleration

7.5

The first e-Golf wasn't terribly quick, but this one has more going on under the hood. While it's still not as quick as some of the newest competition, it feels sufficiently peppy unless you're a lead foot who throws caution (and range) to the wind. At our test track, an e-Golf covered 0-60 mph in 8.4 seconds.

Braking

7.5

The brake pedal is firm and sure in routine use, with good feel and feedback. At our track, the e-Golf's fuel-saving tires contributed to a ho-hum 60-mph panic stop of 128 feet. There are four levels of regenerative braking, but the most aggressive setting falls short of enabling true one-pedal driving.

Steering

7.5

Turn the wheel and the e-Golf delivers a smooth and predictable response, exhibiting an eagerness in turns without feeling darty on straights. But the effort is a bit too light. It starts that way to ease parking. But even though the steering heft builds as the pace picks up, it never quite feels engaging.

Handling

8.5

Handling is eager and well-balanced through corners, reminiscent of a GTI. It was also able to orbit the skid pad at our test track at a respectable 0.88g, which is good considering the economy-minded all-season tires. Because of the low-mounted mass of the battery pack, the e-Golf leans a bit less in turns than a standard one.

Drivability

8.0

It feels utterly smooth and effortless because the torquey direct-drive electric powertrain never shifts. The lift-throttle brake regeneration has four levels that can be selected with the shift lever, too. We only wish the maximum B level was a bit more forceful for better one-pedal driving.

Comfort

8.0

The e-Golf offers comfortable seats and a ride that is neither too hard nor too soft. The electric powertrain is undeniably smooth and silent, of course. This peaceful ride is something that all EVs do well, but it's worth pointing out to those cross-shopping a regular Golf.

Seat comfort

8.0

The front seats have a very accommodating shape and offer great all-day support with just the right amount of padding. But some drivers might find the seat bottoms too flat. The effective side bolsters aren't confining. The rear seat offers similar levels of comfort and support.

Ride comfort

8.0

The highway ride is nicely controlled and settled. Bumps and holes are smoothed over with a minimum of harsh side effects. The result is a steady ride that nicely straddles the line between sloppy and tense.

Noise & vibration

9.0

The utter silence of the electric drivetrain makes the e-Golf less noisy overall than a standard Golf. Wind noise is minimal, and the tires don't call attention to themselves. A subtle whir has been artificially added to alert pedestrians, but it's almost inaudible inside the car and disappears above 15 mph.

Climate control

8.0

Dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats are standard. The main heating system is electric, and it warms quickly because there's no engine that needs warming up. It can be preheated while charging, too. The capable air-conditioning system has an Eco mode to use the system sparingly if you want to preserve range.

Interior

8.5

The e-Golf's interior is ideally suited for people. There's plenty of room, it's easy to get in and out of, and the controls are obvious and easy to reach. Credit goes to the Golf's signature boxy shape, which seems like it was drawn after the occupants were taken care of, not before.

Ease of use

8.0

The e-Golf is refreshingly simple and straightforward. The controls are within easy reach, and their function and usage are clear. There's little that will lead you to consult the owner's manual. It might take some time to master the steering wheel buttons, but they come easy once you do.

Getting in/getting out

9.0

The squared-off door openings make entry and exit a breeze, even for tall folks. The same is true for those in the back seat. The seats aren't so low that you have to stoop either. The doors aren't overly long, so they work well in tight spaces.

Driving position

9.0

The relationship between the e-Golf's seat, steering wheel and pedals (also its dash and gauges) is just about perfect. Folks of all sizes will agree on this point because the generous adjustment range of the seat (fore-aft, up-down) and the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel allow nearly anyone to fit.

Roominess

8.5

Boxy on the outside equals roomy on the inside, with abundant legroom and headroom and an airy and broad cockpit. The back seat is similarly spacious with useful leg-, headroom and even toe room. It's exactly like a regular Golf.

Visibility

8.0

It's very easy to see out, and the blind spot is small thanks to abundant glass area and slender roof and windshield pillars. The standard rearview camera and proximity sensors are a nice bonus. The SEL's standard heated windscreen, however, has myriad fine embedded wires that can refract oncoming headlights.

Quality

8.0

The e-Golf looks and feels well put-together inside and out. The seats and door trim are especially handsome. The dash design is pretty simple and uncomplicated, but that's the look VW goes for. It all fits together nicely.

Utility

8.0

You'd likely predict that a boxy hatchback would offer good utility, and in the case of the Golf, you'd be exactly right. There's plenty of room, and it's easily accessed through the hatch and the squared-off doors.

Small-item storage

8.0

It's a compact car, but the e-Golf still offers ample interior storage. You'll find long front door pockets with water bottle nooks, a good-size glovebox and center console, central cupholders, and a hidden bin in front of the shifter. The rear door pockets will also hold a water bottle.

Cargo space

8.0

The e-Golf's battery doesn't consume any cargo space, which is unusual among EVs adapted from a gas-powered version. Like any other Golf, its rear seats fold flat, the deck is low and the hatch provides easy access. Cargo capacity is abundant with all seats up or down.

Child safety seat accommodation

8.5

The lower anchors are easy to find without digging around between the cushions, and the top tether hooks are equally obvious. The generous rear legroom accommodates most bulky rear-facing seats, and the squared rear roofline eases access to children in back.

Technology

7.5

The e-Golf's simple and effective touchscreen audio and navigation system is easy to live with and offers a variety of ways to integrate your smartphone. But we really wish it had more than one USB port. There's a nice suite of active safety gear, but it's all optional and mighty expensive.

Audio & navigation

8.0

The e-Golf's 8-inch touchscreen delivers high-definition graphics, and the SEL's Fender audio system delivers crisp sound. The easy-to-operate user interface consists of volume and tuning knobs, dedicated off-screen buttons and virtual on-screen touch points.

Smartphone integration

8.0

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard. You can also input sound from your smartphone (or a memory stick) via the USB port directly, or you can stream your tunes via Bluetooth audio. If you'd rather go old-school, there's an auxiliary jack and even an SD card slot. But there's only one USB port.

Driver aids

6.5

A rearview camera and rear parking sensors are standard. The SEL Premium also comes standard with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and parking steering assistance.

Voice control

7.0

The system is good at identifying names in your contact list and switching stations within a radio band. But it stumbles if you try anything more complicated because it prefers set phrases over natural speech. Holding the button longer gets you Siri if you want to control your smartphone.

2019 Volkswagen e-Golf models

The 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf is the electric version of the regular Golf hatchback. It comes with a 35.8-kWh battery pack and a 134-horsepower electric motor. Its EPA-estimated driving range is 125 miles. VW offers two trim levels: SE and SEL Premium.

Standard equipment on the SE includes a 7.2-kW onboard charger, DC fast-charging capability, 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, LED running lights and taillights, cruise control, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated power-reclining front seats (manual height and fore/aft adjustment), and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Tech features include Volkswagen Car-Net Security & Service remote services, an 8-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a USB port, Bluetooth, and an eight-speaker sound system. There's also an optional Driver Assistance package, which includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

The SEL Premium has the features from the Driver Assistance package as standard. It also gets LED headlights with automatic high beams, parking sensors, lane keeping assist, an automated parking system, an auto-dimming mirror, simulated leather upholstery, a more energy-efficient heating system, a digital gauge cluster display, and a bigger 9.2-inch center touchscreen with gesture control and navigation.

A suite of driver aids that includes park distance control, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic braking, lane keeping assist, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert is standard. There's also a 12.3-inch all-digital Volkswagen Digital Cockpit gauge cluster.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf.

5 (67%)

4 (11%)

3 (4%)

2 (2%)

1 (16%)

4.1

45 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Fun electric commuter car

John Heyer, 01/19/2017

2016 Volkswagen e-Golf SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

I wanted to get a second car for electric commuting to supplement my old Subaru. After looking extensively at the Volt, Soul, Focus, i3, and 500e, I felt the e-Golf was the best option to handle my twisty Highway 17 commute and it was the right decision. The design is solid, the ride is quiet and comfortable, and handling is good, although front tires will spin if the accelerator is …

Definitely 5 stars overall

Richard Zimmer, 05/20/2018

2016 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

A comment about each of the two single-star reviews from other owners: 1. If the software to time the charging is spotty, then simply make it a pattern to check on the car once during the night to ensure it is charging. Make it a routine, just like taking the dog or cat outside. While having to drive the car without heat in 45F is chilly, it is definitely not "freezing". Have you …

Great car

M, 03/04/2016

2016 Volkswagen e-Golf SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

I bought the 2016 SE as a commuter and being my first electric, I was surprised how fast the acceleration was. The interior has a lot of room, XM radio controlled by the wiper control, and the range has been great. I am averaging about 100 miles range. I have only been charging at night with the Level 1 charger and can recharge my 60 mile commute in about 11-12 hrs on a 110v outlet. …

Love This Car

Loves This Car, 02/19/2016

2016 Volkswagen e-Golf SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

Using the heater will take away from the battery. I will get a good 60 miles with the heater running. When I want to see that i'm doing better on mileage, i turn off the heater. I use regeneration stage 1 and gain some mileage. When i am in traffic and is not accelerating, i use no battery power. The only other things using the high voltage battery are the AC and heater. If i think that …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf, so we've included reviews for other years of the e-Golf since its last redesign.

See all 45 reviews of the Volkswagen e-Golf

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Features & Specs

Trim

Base MSRP: $31,895

EPA Battery & Range: EPA KWh/100 mi.^{This value tells you how much energy in kilowatt-hours a vehicle would use to travel 100 miles. Unlike mpg, however, where a larger number is better (for example, a vehicle that gets 30 mpg is better than one that gets 20 mpg), a smaller number is better in kWh/100 miles because you are using less battery energy per mile.}: 28; Time To Charge Battery (At 240V)^{This can be tough to pin down, but we assume for simplicity that the 240V power source will enable the vehicle's onboard charger to operate at full capacity, and that the battery is fully depleted and will be recharged to 100%. Given those assumptions, the value provided is simply the battery's capacity divided by the onboard charger's power rating. For example, a battery rated at 100 kWh will need 12.5 hours to recharge fully using an 8.0-kW charger.}: 5.3 hr.; EPA Electricity Range^{This value is the estimated number of miles that a vehicle can travel in combined city and highway driving (using a mix of 55% highway and 45% city driving) before needing to be recharged, according to the EPA's testing methodology.}: 125 mi.; EPA Combined MPGe^{A combined total of 45% city MPGe + 55% highway MPGe}: 119 MPGe

Seating: 5 seats

Drivetrain: Type: front wheel drive; Transmission: 1-speed direct drive

Warranty: Basic: 6 yr./ 72,000 mi.; EV Battery: 8 yr./ 100,000 mi.

Dimensions: Length: 168.1 in. / Height: 57.2 in.; Overall Width without Mirrors: 70.8 in.; Curb Weight: 3,459 lbs.; Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 22.8 cu.ft.

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Safety

Our experts like the e-Golf models:

Intelligent Crash Response System: Automatically engages the brakes after an accident, turns off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors and activates the hazard lights.
Lane Keeping Assist: Detects and warns you when you're drifting out of your lane. Can take steering action if necessary.
Forward Collision Warning: Warns you about an imminent collision with an object ahead. Can automatically apply the brakes if necessary.

More about the 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf

Used 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf Overview

The Used 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf is offered in the following submodels: e-Golf Hatchback. Available styles include SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD), and SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback (electric DD). The Used 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 1-speed direct drive.

What's a good price on a Used 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf?

Price comparisons for Used 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf trim styles:

The Used 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf SE is priced between $19,998 and$25,998 with odometer readings between 7252 and45296 miles.
The Used 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium is priced between $23,998 and$25,650 with odometer readings between 16142 and37987 miles.

Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.

Which used 2019 Volkswagen e-Golfs are available in my area?

Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf for sale near. There are currently 33 used and CPO 2019 e-Golfs listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $19,998 and mileage as low as 7252 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf.

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Should I lease or buy a 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.

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2019 Volkswagen e-Golf Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Scorecard

Driving

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Comfort

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Climate control

Interior

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Driving position

Roominess

Visibility

Quality

Utility

Small-item storage

Cargo space

Child safety seat accommodation

Technology

Audio & navigation

Smartphone integration

Driver aids

Voice control

Which e-Golf does Edmunds recommend?

2019 Volkswagen e-Golf models

Most helpful consumer reviews

Features & Specs

Safety

Used 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf Overview

What's a good price on a Used 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf?

Which used 2019 Volkswagen e-Golfs are available in my area?

Can't find a used 2019 Volkswagen e-Golfs you want in your area? Consider a broader search.

Should I lease or buy a 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf?

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